How to Increase Your Internet Speed: Easy Tricks That Actually Work

It’s possible to deal with constant buffering, choppy video calls, and painfully slow downloads even on a high-speed internet plan. The fault doesn’t always lie with your provider. Sometimes it’s outdated settings, hidden background apps, or even the location of your router.

Luckily, you can often increase your internet speed, reduce lag, and get more from your connection with just a few simple adjustments. This guide covers all possible fixes, from quick tricks to more in-depth troubleshooting, so you can get the connection quality you’re already paying for.

How to Increase Internet Speed: 20 Quick Tips

Ready to learn how to boost internet speed? Once you’ve identified potential causes of slowdowns, simple troubleshooting and proven fixes can make a big difference.

1. Reboot Your Modem and Router

Routers and modems can easily accumulate temporary glitches, memory errors, and old routing paths, which may be behind your slow internet speeds. A full reboot clears it all and resets your connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). 

To perform a full reboot: 

1. Unplug both your modem and router from power and wait 30-60 seconds. 
2. Plug the modem back in.
3. Once the modem is fully back online, you can turn on the router. 

2. Restart Your Device

Sometimes it’s not your network that’s causing the problem, but your device. It can build up different background data and cached information, which may clog up your connection. A quick restart can refresh your network settings and clear all temporary data. 

You should also check for any updates for both the operating system and apps. This helps your devices run more efficiently and fixes bugs related to internet drivers. Small software improvements can make a noticeable difference in speed without having to buy new tech gadgets.

3. Update Your Router’s Firmware

Router manufacturers release firmware updates to improve network performance, fix bugs, and patch up security vulnerabilities. Most routers require you to accept each update manually. To do this, you need to log into the admin panel, which you can access by typing an IP address (like 192.168.1.1) into the URL bar in your browser. From there, you can check for updates, install them, and reboot your router. 

You should check if your router supports automatic updates, as some newer models let you enable the option to save you some time. If you can’t see update options in your router settings, contact your ISP. It may need to remotely push an update or send you a new router. 

4. Move Your Router to a Better Place

The actual location of your router can make or break your internet speed. Putting it in a closet, behind a TV, or tucked away in a corner can stop the signal from reaching all the rooms in your home, causing weak spots. For best coverage, place your router in a central, elevated position, away from thick walls, metal surfaces, and electronic signals—especially microwaves and cordless phones. 

5. Connect Through an Ethernet Cable

While Wi-Fi is convenient, Ethernet is always more consistent. Plugging your device into your router with an Ethernet cable can help you reduce latency, stop signal interference, and give you your full internet speed. This is particularly useful for video calls, online gaming, streaming, and large downloads, which rely on speedy and consistent connections.

6. Run a Malware Scan

Some malware can hog your bandwidth to upload data, communicate with external servers, or even run crypto-mining tasks. You may not always realize it’s happening, as many viruses operate quietly in the background. A full-system scan with a reliable antivirus program, like CyberGhost Security Suite, can find these threats and remove them for good, freeing your speeds from malicious hitchhikers.

7. Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies

Your browser stores cache (temporary files) and cookies to make websites load faster, but this buildup can quickly slow your connection down, especially on content-heavy platforms. You should regularly clear them so your browser can load the latest version of a website faster instead of dealing with outdated files. To delete cookies and cache, open your browser settings, find the privacy or history section, and delete your browsing data.

8. Install the Latest Browser Version

Browser updates bring security patches and optimize performance, especially when it comes to loading websites more efficiently. So if you’re using an older version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or another browser, you may not be getting the best possible speeds. Check for available updates in your browser’s settings and, if one is available, install it straight away. It shouldn’t take long before you can enjoy speedy browsing again. 

For even better speed and security, consider switching to a privacy-focused browser that blocks trackers and ads by default.

9. Secure Your Wi-Fi with a Password

If your Wi-Fi isn’t protected or uses a weak, easy-to-guess password, anyone nearby could connect to your network without your knowledge. Every unauthorized device drains a bit more of your bandwidth. To avoid this, use a strong, unique password and make sure your router is using WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. You can change these settings in your router’s admin panel. To log in, just type in an IP address in your browser’s URL bar. 

10. Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network

If your guests connect to your main Wi-Fi, it can create speed and security issues. They could auto-sync, access your shared files, download updates, or even accidentally introduce malware into your network. The best way to avoid it is with a separate guest Wi-Fi network.

Most modern routers now support the feature and let you create a separate network with its own password and limited access. This means your guests can use the internet without slowing down your speeds or viewing anything on your main network. To set it up, just check your router settings for a “Guest Network” option.

11. Disconnect Unused Devices

Every phone, tablet, smart TV, IoT gadget, and other device uses a part of your bandwidth. Too many devices using the internet at the same time can quickly add up and make your connection sluggish. Check what’s currently connected in your router’s admin panel or app and temporarily disconnect devices you’re not using. This will free up your network resources and provide faster speeds to the devices that need it.

12. Close Background Apps

Programs like game launchers, cloud backups, or downloads can run quietly in the background and drain your bandwidth. On Windows, you can close the apps you’re not using through the Task Manager. On macOS, open the Activity Monitor. Or simply open your phone settings to shut down any running programs. 

13. Enable an Ad Blocker

Ads load videos, trackers, and scripts to clutter your screen. To do so, they need to use your internet connection, which slows you down. Installing a reliable ad blocker can speed up browsing by preventing them from appearing in the first place. CyberGhost VPN comes with a built-in ad blocker that shuts down ads by default, but it also blocks malicious sites and invasive trackers to give you a cleaner, faster, and safer online experience.

14. Change Your Wi-Fi Channel

Your Wi-Fi signal may be overlapping with your neighbors’ networks or household electronics, like baby monitors and microwaves (especially if you’re using the 2.4 GHz band). Most routers let you manually pick a channel to avoid this. Use a free app, such as Wi-Fi Analyzer, to see which channels nearby routers use the most. Then, log into your router and switch to a less crowded channel, like 1, 6, or 11 (for 2.4 GHz). 

15. Add a Wi-Fi Extender or Mesh Network

If your home has dead zones or weak spots, a Wi-Fi repeater or a mesh system can help. A Wi-Fi repeater boosts your existing signal to let it cover more area, while a mesh network uses multiple nodes working together to provide your entire space with a strong connection. This is especially useful in large homes, as it can keep your speed steady throughout the whole space.

16. Use Powerline Adapters

Powerline adapters send your internet signal through your home’s electrical wiring, which lets you get a strong, stable connection in rooms far away from the router. Plug one adapter near your router and connect it with an Ethernet cable. Then, add another adapter in a room where your Wi-Fi isn’t as fast as you’d want it to be and connect your device to it. Your speeds will depend on the quality of your wires—newer homes usually get better results.

17. Change Your DNS Settings

DNS servers translate website names to IP addresses to let you connect to the platforms you want. Sometimes, your ISP’s default DNS server can be slow, but you can switch to a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) to shave some time off page load times. 

Just keep in mind, this won’t increase your bandwidth, so your streams and downloads can still feel laggy.  

18. Upgrade Your Internet Plan

In some cases, nothing will fully solve slow speeds if you regularly max out your bandwidth. If your household has multiple people streaming, gaming, video calling, or using smart devices, consider upgrading your internet plan to a faster package. Contact your ISP to discuss your needs and see what they could offer you. 

19. Use a VPN to Prevent ISP Throttling

Some ISPs intentionally slow down high-bandwidth activities, like streaming, torrenting, or gaming, during peak hours. One way to bypass this is by using a VPN. It encrypts your traffic and hides what websites you’re visiting, making it harder for ISPs to throttle you based on your usage. CyberGhost VPN masks your traffic and routes it through secure servers, helping maintain consistent speeds when your ISP might otherwise slow you down.

20. Reach Out to Your ISP

If you’ve tried everything and speeds are still poor, it’s time to call your ISP. They can test your connection, check for line issues, pinpoint local congestion, and send a technician if needed. Often, the fix is as simple as pushing a configuration update or replacing outdated equipment on their end.

Why Is My Internet So Slow?

Slow internet speeds aren’t always your ISP’s fault. Many factors in your home or on your devices can affect your connection. The most common culprits include: 

• • Too many background apps: Silent programs running in the background, like cloud backups or automatic updates, can constantly drain your bandwidth.
  • Overcrowded network: Active devices share your total bandwidth, so the more you connect, the lower share they get. 
  • Weak Wi-Fi signal: Nearby networks, thick walls, or electronics can cause signal disruptions.
  • Outdated operating system or drivers: Missed updates can cause lag and compatibility issues with newer network standards.
  • Heavy browser extensions: Poorly made plugins and extensions can slow page loading and rendering times.
  • Low or overloaded RAM: Limited memory can slow down your system and make it seem like your internet speeds are dropping.
  • Aging hardware: Slower processors and outdated components often can’t keep up with modern speeds.
  • Old or weak router: Old routers may struggle with high-speed plans or multiple devices.
  • Data caps or throttling: Some ISPs may slow down your connection if you exceed your data allowance. 
  • Peak-hour network congestion: Crowded networks in your neighborhood can reduce available bandwidth for everyone online.
  • Poor-quality home wiring: Older or inconsistent wiring can limit internet speeds in certain rooms when you’re using powerline adapters.
  • Distant VPN server: Far-away VPN location can reduce speed and add lag if the provider doesn’t use modern infrastructure.

How Can I Check My Internet Speed?

Checking your speeds can help you confirm you’re getting what you’re paying for and pinpoint potential slowdowns. Follow these quick steps for most accurate results:

• • Use a free online speed test tool: Pick a reliable service, like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. You should also close other apps and pause any downloads to get the best reading.
  • Test multiple different devices: Run tests on your phone, laptop, and tablet to figure out device-specific issues.
  • Compare Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections: Connect your devices to the router using an Ethernet cable, then test it again to see if your Wi-Fi is the bottleneck.
  • Run tests at different times: Look for patterns and potential throttling during peak hours.
  • Check results against your ISP plan: Compare your results to the advertised speeds to confirm performance.

Take Back Control and Increase Your Internet Speed

Slow internet is frustrating, but many fixes are simple and free. Start with the basics: restart your router and device, run a speed test, and close unnecessary apps. Often, these small changes make a big difference. If you still notice issues, go through the other steps one by one to find the one that works. 

If you suspect your ISP is slowing you down when you’re streaming, torrenting, or gaming, a trusted VPN can help. CyberGhost VPN encrypts your traffic and hides what websites and services you visit, making it harder for your ISP to throttle your speeds based on your activity. It’ll also protect your privacy at the same time, so it’s a win-win situation. You can try CyberGhost VPN risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. 

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